Stone Fruits 2018 @ Andy's Orchard in Morgan Hill

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Andy's Orchard in Morgan Hill opened for the season on May 15. I had a chance to visit last weekend to buy the first cherries from its own orchards: Brooks and Black Tartarians. I bought some of both and some Corals grown by another producer after tasting them all.

The cherries are large and evenly ripe in the pre-selected baskets. The Black Tartarians were so soft and squishy, but remarkably deep in flavor and sweet as candy. The Brooks were brighter in flavor and had a satisfying crisp texture that kept well for nearly a week in the refrigerator. I brought these to friends in Southern California who used to live in Salinas and San Jose, and they raved that these were the fantastic tasting "real cherries" like their childhood memories. For me, these Brooks might be the best early cherry I've ever had.

Starting in mid-June, Andy's Orchard will have a booth at the Santa Monica Farmers Market.

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